2006 Big East Basketball Predictions

2006 Big East Preview

The Big East is loaded with sixteen teams and, as has been the case in past seasons, many have a shot at the NCAA Tournament. Eight made it to the Big Dance in 2006. Great coaches, future NBA players and rugged competitiveness are the hallmarks of one of the best college basketball conferences in America.

Teams on the upswing in the Big East include Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Marquette and Syracuse. Although Syracuse and Marquette will contend for the top spot due in part to their depth and balance, look for Pittsburgh and Georgetown, with their superstar squads, to battle for number one.

Connecticut and Villanova are still prime programs, but essential starters have not been replaced and talented but inexperienced players usually don’t outlast solid, experienced teams in the long basketball season. Both teams pulled off some major recruiting coupes, which will help this year and pan out after a full season.

Look for Louisville, De Paul and St. John’s to move up in the conference. They won’t occupy the top but they will all be within striking distance for the Big East Tournament, where last season the Syracuse Orange proved that anything can happen (especially if you have a clutch guy like Gerry McNamara starting). Ironically, that go-to leader has not yet emerged from the ranks of the Cardinals, Blue Demons or Red Storm. But they certainly may during the next five months.

Teams that look like they will really fall off the pace include former powerhouse West Virginia. They simply need to rebuild after losing five key players, including Pittsnogle. Cincinnati seems destine to go from the middle to the bottom of the pack, due to the sudden changeover in head coach and the return of only one key player. New coach Mick Cronin has done some great, quick recruiting from the junior college ranks. Seton Hall appears to also be headed from the middle to the lower end of this conference due to the loss of its top two scorers and a lack of inside strength.

Providence, Rutgers and Notre Dame will still dwell in the lower half of the conference and South Florida looks to finish last once again. Of course, there are always surprises due to injuries, breakout years and the unanticipated gelling of a team.

Welcome to the Big East—where the players are big, the shots are big and the stakes are enormous.

2006 Big East Basketball Predictions

Projected Order of Finish, Click on Team Name for Individual Team Preview:

1) Georgetown Hoyas
2) Pittsburgh Panthers
3) Marquette Golden Eagles
4) Syracuse Orange
5) Connecticut Huskies
6) Villanova Wildcats
7) Louisville Cardinals
8) DePaul Blue Demons
9) St. John’s Red Storm
10) West Virginia Mountaineers
11) Providence Friars
12) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
13) Seton Hall Pirates
14) Rutgers Scarlet Knights
15) Cincinnati Bearcats
16) South Florida Bulls